The Delhi Premier League has quickly become one of the most closely watched domestic tournaments for IPL scouts, especially because it blends high-scoring conditions with pressure-heavy match situations. Two players — a middle-order wicketkeeper-hitter and a rising left-hand opener — have emerged as the league’s most compelling IPL prospects ahead of the 2026 auction.
Here are the top players from the Delhi Premier League to watch out for:
Tejasvi Dahiya – Wicketkeeper-Batter (Middle Order)
DPL 2025: 339 runs | 10 innings | Strike rate 190.45
Role: Middle-order enforcer + wicketkeeping depth
Domestic status: Made SMAT debut; maiden fifty vs Karnataka
Delhi’s 23-year-old Tejasvi Dahiya has rapidly shaped into one of the most intriguing domestic wicketkeeper-hitters in the auction pool. What sets him apart is not just his strike rate of 190.45but his ability to deliver that tempo from No. 5a position where Indian batters historically struggle to clear the boundaries consistently.
His standout trait — and the one that most interests IPL scouts — is his temperament in tight DPL chases. Despite often walking in under pressure, he maintained high intent without reckless shot selection, signalling maturity beyond raw numbers. That poise, combined with power, positions him as a potential Indian finishing optiona profile franchises rarely find in the domestic market.
Tejasvi has already trialled with every IPL team except Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, who evaluated him separately, highlighting the level of league-wide interest.
The question now is whether he can elevate that output in the far more demanding environment of IPL-level attacks — but his SMAT entry, including a half-century against Karnataka, suggests that transition may already be underway.
Likely IPL fits:
Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad — teams seeking wicketkeeping backups who can strike at 160+ in the middle order.
Arpit Rana – Left-Hand Opening Batter
DPL 2025: 495 runs | Avg 55.00 | Strike rate 146.88
Role: Top-order anchor-accelerator
Domestic status: Yet to debut for Delhi; part of SMAT squad
Arpit Rana has been one of the Delhi Premier League’s biggest turnaround stories. After a quiet first season, the 22-year-old returned with a commanding performance, scoring 495 runs at 55 and a strike rate of 146.88showcasing both stability and acceleration.
Despite a lean frame and an understated presence at the crease, Arpit consistently punched above his weight, especially against higher-paced bowling in the early overs. His second-season surge has forced scouts to take notice, though the standard DPL caveat applies — how much of this spike is sustainable outside a league still finding its competitive rhythm?
His inclusion in Delhi’s SMAT squad is a strong indicator of upward trajectory. The Delhi Capitals have trialled him as well, signalling franchise-level interest in his method and temperament.
For IPL teams looking for a young Indian left-hand opener who can play both sheets-anchor and counterattacking roles, Arpit emerges as a developmental but promising pick.
Likely IPL fits:
Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings — teams that value young Indian top-order depth.
Summary: Delhi Premier League players on the IPL 2026 radar
| Player | Role | Key Strength | IPL Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tejasvi Dahiya | WK-batter (middle order) | Power + temperament + SR 190.45 | Rare Indian finisher + keeping backup |
| Arpit Rana | LH opener | Consistent scoring + SR 146.88 | Young top-order option with growth curve |
Comments are closed.